Bandsaw blade?

[John Meyers]

I broke my bandsaw blade and would like to know, what do you think is the best blade type for cutting solid body guitars and necks? No ripping just profiles. I would love a blade that I can cut out a body without much relief cuts, one that will stay on the line.

[Mark Swanson]

Hello and welcome to the MIMForum. Please know that we require full first and last names here, and no handles or knicknames. Please let us know your real name and we'll change that for you.

[Max Debelleix]

1/4 or 1/2 inch blade, and a very good set of guides, a good bandsaw too! Otherwise you'll struggle forever.

[John Meyers]

Mark my name is John Meyers. This new forum caused me to start over from scratch with you. I been a member for years now.

Max, thanks for the info.

[Greg Robinson]

Thanks John, your username has been updated.

[Mark Swanson]

There you go John! Thank you.

[John Meyers]

What do you think TPI should be 4 or 10?

[Charlie Schultz]

A 1/4" blade will allow for tighter turns (fewer relief cuts) compared to the 1/2" blade. The 4 TPI will leave a little rougher surface than the 10 TPI but is probably better suited for the thicker wood used in solid bodies.

[Rodger Knox]

First off, how big is your bandsaw? Anything less than 14" will be problematic for hard solidbody woods, the smaller saws just don't cut that good.
I have a small 3 wheel bandsaw, and it can be used to cut out solidbodies, but the tension is too low, the guides are too loose, and the blade is too flexible to really follow a line.
As far as TPI, the "rule fo thumb" is at least 3 teeth in the cut, so 4 TPI is good down to 3/4" thickness, and would be appropriate for up to 3"or4". Generally speaking, the more TPI, the smoother the cut, and the smaller the blade, the tighter the curve it will cut. I'm currently using a 1/4" Timberwolf with 6 or 8 TPI in my 14" saw to cut out solid bodies, and am quite satisfied with it.